Liposuction
Some bodies have bumps and bulges that won’t go away no matter how hard you try. The fact is that certain people have fat cells that will not shrink or go away despite diet and exercise. You can thank genetics for those fat cells in some cases.
Liposuction provides an option to remove those stubborn bulges to help improve your body's shape. The areas most commonly treated with liposuction include the upper and lower abdomen, inner and outer thighs, hips, buttocks, and face. It is imperative that you understand liposuction will not remove cellulite, it will only get rid of the fat underneath the skin.
A good candidate should have realistic expectations about the expected outcome of liposuction as well as these basic qualities:
- Average or just slightly above-average weight
- In good overall health
- Firm, elastic skin
- Concentrated pockets of fat that in spite of diet and exercise will not go away
If you have poor skin quality, or a large amount of cellulite you are not considered a good candidate for liposuction. Having poor skin quality may increase your risk for developing skin irregularities due to under-correction or over-correction of localized fat deposits. Age is generally not a major determining factor when discussing liposuction; however, try to remember that the older we get the less elasticity we have in our skin. Therefore, older patients with less elasticity in their skin may not achieve the same benefits of liposuction that a younger patient with tighter skin may achieve.
For liposuction you will be placed under IV sedation for your procedure. Once your anesthesia has taken effect, the liposuction procedure will be performed using a suction device attached to a small, stainless steel instrument which is called a cannula. Through very small incisions, the cannula is inserted into your fatty areas between skin and muscle so it can remove excess fat with suction. This results in a smoother and more improved body contour.
Liposuction recovery is usually quick. Most people can return to work within a few days, if not the same day, and then to normal activities within about two weeks. You should expect bruising, swelling, and soreness for a least a few weeks. However, every patient’s experience will vary depending on the volume of fat cells removed and your area of removal. Dr. Nuveen can discuss all of these options when you come in for your consultation and give you a better idea of what your expectations should be
During liposuction the fat cells are removed permanently. Generally if you gain weight after the procedure, it usually will not concentrate in the area where you had fat removed. However, it is important you know that liposuction will not prevent you from regaining weight and is not a weight management procedure. The only way to keep your new shape and weight after liposuction is by following a diet and exercise plan.
All surgical procedures involve some risk. However, liposuction has a good safety record and the risks associated with the procedure are minimized when performed by a specially trained, board-certified cosmetic surgeon. Although rare, risks include infection and skin discoloration.
What to Expect in Recovery:
As you heal:
Healing: How quickly and easily you will heal depends on a number of factors such as your genetic background, your overall state of health and lifestyle (exercise, diet, smoking, drinking, etc…). Many people believe your doctor is solely responsible for the healing process, but no one person can make another heal. Dr. Nuveen can facilitate (but not accelerate) your healing but you must also take an active role in that process. Your cooperation and close attention is extremely important when it comes to your post-operative healing.
Another important factor in the course of healing is how well you follow the instructions that are given to you by Dr. Nuveen. You will receive verbal instructions as well as written instructions after surgery and it is imperative that you follow those instructions. We set those guidelines for you to promote your healing process and to prevent the occurrence of any complications that can interfere with your recovery. It is crucial that you recognize that you are a partner in this process and have a responsibility to follow instructions carefully. The instructions we give you are designed to give you the best opportunity for healing without delay or surprise.
Your first 48 hours:
If you are going home, a family member or friend must drive you because you have been sedated. If you choose to stay overnight in our guest suite you must have an adult caregiver to stay with you or a caregiver can be provided for an additional fee.
Activity: Take it easy and pamper yourself. Try to avoid any straining. You may go to the bathroom, try to get up and move a little every hour, but take it easy. No matter how good you feel please do not do any strenuous activity or lifting. We do not want you to bleed and cause any more swelling and bruising that is unavoidable. Use common sense as your guide.
Ice packs: We recommend using cold or ice packs for the first 48 hours to help reduce swelling, bruising, and pain. Use frozen peas in the package or crush ice cubes and the ice into a zip-lock bag. Using ice after your procedure should help, not hurt so if the ice feels too uncomfortable don’t use it as often. Leave the ice in place no longer than 20 minutes per area.
Diet: If you have any post-operative nausea, carbonated sodas and dry crackers may settle the stomach. If nausea is severe, use the Phenergan suppositories you were prescribed. If you feel normal, start with liquids and bland foods, and if those are well tolerated, progress slowly back to your regular diet.
Alcohol: Alcohol dilates the blood vessels and could increase post-operative bleeding. Please do not drink until you have stopped taking the prescription pain pills, as the combination of pain pills and alcohol can be dangerous.
Smoking: Nicotine causes blood vessels to constrict and may interfere with normal wound healing. When blood vessels constrict there is less blood supply that can get to the wound which means less oxygen for normal healing to take place. Smoking may adversely affect wound healing and cause loss of skin and tissue death. Smoking reduces arterial (blood) oxygen supply which is necessary for normal wound healing. Exposure to second hand smoke has also been implicated in delayed or abnormal wound healing. It is best to avoid smoking &/or exposure to second hand smoke in the post-operative period while your incisions are healing. You should also avoid cigarette replacements such as nicotine gum, patches or the inhaler during your post-operative period as these have similar effects as smoking and second hand smoke.
Driving: Please do not drive while taking prescription pain pills. Please be advised that all medications may impair judgment and the ability to drive or operate heavy machinery.
How to Care for Your Scars After Surgery
Our practice is dedicated to making your entire surgical experience enjoyable. Healing is the great variable. The same procedure can be performed on a thousand different patients using the same surgeon, tools, and approach. Even with these constants, some scars will heal better than others. Incision care post-operatively can increase the appearance of your scar. We are dedicated to utilizing evidence based practice in providing you with the most up-to-date information, to ensure you get the results you are looking for.
What is a scar? Think of scarring as a visible healing act. In the beginning stages of recovery, usually the first two to three months, your scars may be very apparent and pronounced. This is normal healing. As time goes by the scars will slowly become smaller and less visible. It may take up to two years for skin to fully heal from surgery. By then, scars are considered "mature" and you will see their final outcome.
What can you do to improve the appearance of your scars? In the initial stage post-operatively, do not pick at the area, or rub abrasively. There may be skin glue along your incision. This can last for several weeks post-operatively. It will begin to slowly come off on its own. Nearly all sutures are self dissolving. Keeping the self dissolving sutures moist with Vaseline will help them dissolve faster. After the skin glue is off and the area is fully closed, a scar cream needs to be applied to improve the color and appearance of the incision. Maintaining a well balanced diet with an emphasis of Vitamin E and C will prepare your body for healing.
What scar cream to use? We recommend over the counter scar creams (Mederma, Scar Guard, etc.) and Dermatix, which we sell in our office. Mederma is a good product for scars on the hands or face. Dermatix is recommended for larger incisions on the body, such as those from breast augmentations, breast lifts/reductions, tummy tucks, and brachioplasties. Dermatix, from Valeant Pharmaceuticals is a transparent, self-drying silicone gel that will significantly reduce the appearance of scars. Dermatix flattens, softens and smoothes scars, relieving the itching and discomfort, as well as reducing discoloration.
Variation in healing? There are many factors that go into how a person will scar. A few examples include age, location, genetics, and lifestyle. Exercising, eating a well-balanced diet, and abstaining from smoking all assist in healthy blood flow, which ultimately plays a significant role in scar healing. Our practice would like to give you the information and products that you need to have the very best results possible.
Family and Friends: Support from your family and friends is very helpful during your recovery. But because they may not understand what is normal in your post-operative care, their comments may unintentionally create emotional turmoil for you. You can trust that we will tell you honestly how your progress is and what we expect your results to be. Please trust in our knowledge and experience when we evaluate your progress. We know it is difficult not to compare your recovery with other people you may know who also had cosmetic surgery, but it’s imperative to remember progress varies greatly patient to patient and everyone has a different recovery.
Cosmetic surgery has certainly become less taboo in the past decade, but your friends may still be reluctant to bring it up and discuss it because they think it may be a private matter to you. Patients occasionally feel upset that “no one noticed” or “said anything.” If you are comfortable discussing your cosmetic procedure then you should do so openly. When people ask how you are, respond saying “I feel wonderful. I just had cosmetic surgery and I’m recovering.” This lets people know that they may talk freely with you. Often if you will open up about your procedure you will find that your friends and acquaintances are very interested in discussing it with you.
One potential drawback after surgery that can take places is that quite frequently patients experience a very brief period of “let down” or depression after cosmetic surgery. Some may subconsciously have expected to instantly look and feel better, even though they rationally understand that this will not be the case. You will be told what to expect during your recovery but the incisions can still come as a shock sometimes to see the initial results. Patients commonly question their decision to have surgery during the first few days after surgery because it’s hard to imagine the incisions once they are healed and everything has settled into place. As the healing occurs, these thoughts usually disappear quickly. If you feel depressed, understanding that this is a “natural” phase of the healing process and that the final outcome will be much different than what it looks like right after your procedure may help you to cope with any emotional “let down” you may feel initially.
Healing: How quickly and easily you will heal depends on a number of factors such as your genetic background, your overall state of health and lifestyle (exercise, diet, smoking, drinking, etc…). Many people believe your doctor is solely responsible for the healing process, but no one person can make another heal. Dr. Nuveen can facilitate (but not accelerate) your healing but you must also take an active role in that process. Your cooperation and close attention is extremely important when it comes to your post-operative healing.
Another important factor in the course of healing is how well you follow the instructions that are given to you by Dr. Nuveen. You will receive verbal instructions as well as written instructions after surgery and it is imperative that you follow those instructions. We set those guidelines for you to promote your healing process and to prevent the occurrence of any complications that can interfere with your recovery. It is crucial that you recognize that you are a partner in this process and have a responsibility to follow instructions carefully. The instructions we give you are designed to give you the best opportunity for healing without delay or surprise.
Phone - (405) 842-6677